Summerhall to host Edinburgh Fringe programme in 2025

It feels like all we’ve heard about Summerhall in the past few months has been wall-to-wall bad news, but there’s been some light on the horizon over the last few days. First of all, Summerhall Management (the company responsible for the running of the building) confirmed that their tax woes are over, and the winding up notice applied for by HMRC over alleged unpaid corporation tax was withdrawn in the run-up to the Christmas break.

“This brings an end to this action against Summerhall Management, and there will be no further hearings about this matter,” said Robert McDowell, Director of Summerhall Management Ltd. 

The upshot of this is that Summerhall Management's bank accounts were unfrozen, allowing them to finally hand over box office takings that had been owed to artists. McDowell confirmed that these payouts were made before Christmas. “Whilst we appreciate that these payments were late, we were able to complete the payout process quickly, as soon as we were able,” he said. “I would like to thank all those that were affected for their patience.”

The Summerhall building itself is still being sold by its owners, Oesselmann Estate Ltd, with property development company AMA Homes in negotiations as the preferred bidder for the site. It’s been unclear what that would mean for the future of Summerhall as an arts venue, but it’s been confirmed today that Summerhall Arts – the independent charity who have been running Summerhall’s arts programme – will be delivering a Fringe festival programme at Summerhall this August and potentially beyond. 

Summerhall Arts’ Performance Programmer Tom Forster confirmed that the upcoming Fringe activity will be of similar scale and scope to previous editions. “Our 2025 Fringe performance programme will continue to be exactly what we know and love, challenging contemporary work that says something about the world and does it in an interesting way, because that is what the sector shapes us to be,” Forster said in a press release shared this morning. “I just simply can’t wait to work with colleagues, both old and new, and we at Summerhall Arts welcome applications for this year's Fringe now.”  

This is great news for the Fringe. Summerhall is one of the festival's most important venues and it would be much reduced without it. But what of the Edinburgh cultural scene the rest of the year? There’s no word as yet on what Summerhall’s year-round programme of theatre, music, festivals and visual art will look like, with Summerhall Arts waiting to hear the results of their multi-year funding application to Creative Scotland before revealing their plans.

Summerhall Arts is led by Sam Gough, who was also CEO of Summerhall Management. "We have planned a diverse programme of work throughout the entire year, which will go a long way to support and develop the sector year-round,” says Gough. “But the first announcement is that we are going to deliver a Fringe programme, which is a thrilling opportunity to push boundaries and provide a platform for both emerging and established artists.

"Our vision is simple – to celebrate art that speaks to the moment and invites new perspectives, all while fostering strong relationships with artists and audiences alike. With our ongoing efforts to secure multi-year funding, we are optimistic this will strengthen our ability to support all of the artists of the future, keeping Scotland at the very forefront of the sector."

We look forward to seeing how these plans play out when Creative Scotland finally reveal the recipients of their long-awaited multi-year funding programme. While it’s very exciting to have Summerhall confirmed as an Edinburgh Fringe venue, its year-round activity and support of Edinburgh’s art scene is even more important, and we hope these aren’t diminished following the building's sale.